NBA experimenting with 44-minute preseason game between Celtics, Nets

[KamaAina]

http://sports.yahoo.com/blogs/nba-ball-dont-lie/nba-experimenting-with-44-minute-preseason-game-between-celtics--nets-170124626.html

In an experimental effort to examine shorter NBA games, the Brooklyn Nets and Boston Celtics will shave a minute off each quarter and play a one-time only 44-minute preseason game at Barclays Center on Sunday.

"At our recent coaches' meeting, we had a discussion about the length of our games, and it was suggested that we consider experimenting with a shorter format," NBA president of basketball operations Rod Thorn said in the league's press release. "After consulting with our Competition Committee, we agreed to allow the Nets and Celtics to play a 44-minute preseason game in order to give us some preliminary data that will help us to further analyze game-time lengths."

In addition to playing 11-minute quarters, the Celtics and Nets will each have two timeouts rather three in the second and fourth quarters. Both Brooklyn coach Lionel Hollins and Boston counterpart Brad Stevens endorsed the concept.

"When this idea came up at the coaches' meeting, I thought it was a unique experiment that was worth participating in," said Hollins. "I'm looking forward to gauging its impact on the flow of the game. Since there is a shorter clock, it affects playing time, so it'll be interesting to see how it plays into substitution patterns."

Coming soon to a courtroom near you: A class-action lawsuit from Nets fans outraged over having to pay full price for a 44-minute game.

[ProfessorGAC]

1. Dumb!

Increase the penalty for fouls in the last 2 minutes of a half (reducing the number of light intentional fouls), make the player stay at the foul line before a second free throw, and eliminate one time out.

That will do more to pick up the pace than shaving a minut per quarter.